But the 71-year-old lost his regular spot on Church Point Car Park to another ice cream van from Newcastle after his tender bid with Northumberland County Council failed.

Now residents from the seaside town have launched a campaign to reinstate the local legend on his usual patch, saying he “is not just an ice cream man, he’s our childhood hero”.

An online petition started by villager Steph Harmison has already attracted 2,400 signatures, and a protest is planned in the car park on Sunday.

Newbiggin residents protest for Ice Cream man Tommy Brash who has been forced out of his spot after 47 years

Mrs Harmison said she took her son to buy an ice cream last week and was “gutted” to find Tommy missing.

The mother-of-three said: “Poor Tommy had tears in his eyes telling me that after 47 years of being our ice cream man, watching people grow into mothers and grandmothers, including myself, the council gave the other ice cream man the spot because they offered more money.”

People from across Northumberland have rushed to sign Steph’s petition, calling Tommy “iconic in Newbiggin”.

Abbie Taylor said: “Tommy is part of Newbiggin culture - 47 years of service is a legacy. Let him have his last three years before retirement before someone new takes his spot.”

Catherine Wilson said: “Tommy has a solid part of Newbiggin for years. He knows the locals and is always cheery. He deserves to stay.”

Resident John Armstrong also said: “Newbiggin wouldn’t be the same without the shout and anticipation of seeing Tommy’s van around the estates with kids buying their ice creams from such an amicable man.”

Newbiggin residents protest for Ice Cream man Tommy Brash who has been forced out of his spot after 47 years

Linda Ramshaw said: “Mr Brash has been a wonderful advocate for neighbourliness in our community and is much loved and appreciated by many lonely people who sometimes he is the only person that they see.

“I am not averse to free trade but why should this hard working man be pushed aside after so many years of service to our community?”

But Northumberland County Council is standing by its decision.

A council spokesperson said: “The council offers businesses the right to trade from these locations by following a competitive process based on a three-year cycle, with businesses submitting a sealed bid for each consecutive year in the period advertised.

“The allocation is then awarded to the highest bidder for that location.

“This is a standard process to ensure that businesses are given an equal opportunity to trade and which also generates income that helps support the provision of council services.”